Valve spring problem on just 1 valve
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 699
Likes: 46
From: Charlotte NC
Valve spring problem on just 1 valve
Needing advice - putting together my 70 small block 186 heads. Obviously 50 ys old and a few valve jobs - I have 1 exhaust valve seat a little "sunk", so that particular spring installed height needs an extra .060 shim in comparison to the others. Well - it is the outermost spring in the head - the one that has the least casting around the spring seat. That extra shim eliminates all the casting lip so I've got a poorly located spring. Option 1 - eliminate the extra shim and have 1 spring a little less seat pressure. 2 - put that extra shim on top of the spring under the retainer. 3 - buy a whole set of -.050 locks and use just 1 pair. 4 - buy a whole set of seat locators and use just 1. What do you think?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Needing advice - putting together my 70 small block 186 heads. Obviously 50 ys old and a few valve jobs - I have 1 exhaust valve seat a little "sunk", so that particular spring installed height needs an extra .060 shim in comparison to the others. Well - it is the outermost spring in the head - the one that has the least casting around the spring seat. That extra shim eliminates all the casting lip so I've got a poorly located spring. Option 1 - eliminate the extra shim and have 1 spring a little less seat pressure. 2 - put that extra shim on top of the spring under the retainer. 3 - buy a whole set of -.050 locks and use just 1 pair. 4 - buy a whole set of seat locators and use just 1. What do you think?
Never run less pressure or shim the retainer.
I have used +.050 retaineretainers for additional spring coil bind clearance . So the-.050 is an option
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
Or buy a slightly longer Spring with the similar Spring rate so it can set up closed at correct pressure with the 60 thousands bigger space.
Last edited by derekderek; Oct 20, 2019 at 06:13 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
cup or locator ... whichever suits your guide / pocket
https://www.enginepro.com/downloads/...ors_Guides.pdf
https://www.enginepro.com/downloads/...ors_Guides.pdf
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
If you want a more permanent fix you can have new seats installed for all the valves to not only get the valve back where it belongs but the hardened seats last much longer. It all depends what you think those heads are worth to you.
Small block Chevy - options are nearly endless.
Good luck.
Small block Chevy - options are nearly endless.
Good luck.
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